The key outcome is that the European Parliament approved a more general environmental amendment, while rejecting a tougher amendment that explicitly mentioned the Sazan project, Affinity Partners, SPAK investigations, and recent protests.
What Was Approved?
The adopted amendment:
- Expresses serious concern about developments in the protected Vjosë-Nartë Protected Area area.
- States that these developments demonstrate the practical consequences of recent legal changes affecting protected areas.
- Notes and follows the ongoing peaceful protests related to the issue.
- Calls on Albanian authorities to impose an immediate moratorium on new permits, construction works, and development activities within protected areas until legal concerns are addressed.
- Calls for the repeal of provisions in the amended Law on Protected Areas that are considered incompatible with EU standards.
- Emphasizes that any project in the area must undergo comprehensive environmental impact assessments in line with EU standards and include transparent public consultation with local communities, scientists, and civil society.
The report also reiterates concerns about the 2024 amendments to Albania’s protected areas legislation, arguing that they allow large-scale tourism infrastructure in protected zones and weaken environmental oversight.
What Was Rejected?
MEPs rejected an alternative amendment that went much further.
The rejected text would have:
- Explicitly criticized Albania’s Strategic Investments Law.
- Directly referenced the agreement between the Albanian government and Affinity Partners for the luxury tourism project on Sazan Island and in the Vjosë-Nartë area.
- Expressed concerns about the specific Sazan development project.
- Called for support for the anti-corruption investigation being conducted by SPAK.
- Mentioned clashes between protesters and private security companies in May 2026 and called for protection of the right to peaceful protest.
What Does This Mean?
In practical terms, the European Parliament’s final report:
✅ Keeps criticism of Albania’s legal framework governing strategic investments and protected areas.
✅ Maintains environmental concerns regarding developments in Vjosë-Nartë.
✅ Calls for compliance with EU environmental standards.
❌ Does not directly condemn the Sazan project.
❌ Does not mention Jared Kushner, Affinity Partners, SPAK investigations, or specific protest incidents.
Therefore, while the Parliament endorsed concerns about environmental protection and the legal framework surrounding development projects, it chose not to include direct accusations or references to the Sazan tourism project in the final text.
Political Significance
The vote suggests that a majority of MEPs preferred a broader institutional and environmental critique rather than directly targeting a specific investment project. At the same time, the report still places pressure on Albanian authorities to demonstrate that any development in protected areas complies with EU environmental legislation and accession requirements, particularly under Chapter 27 (Environment) of the EU accession process.
